Ashlyn Watkins just threw down her third career dunk, and it sparked a roar from NCAA to WNBA. Sure, dunks are a dime a dozen in the NBA, but in the WNBA or NCAAW? Let’s just say it’s very rare. Now, it has ignited a fiery plea for none other than Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson to take flight in the W. Because, well, when it’s about South Carolina and women’s hoops, how can we not talk about A’ja?

So, how did Gamecocks 6-3 forward break the internet? It was late in the first quarter against TCU. After her initial layup got swatted by Sedona Prince, Watkins didn’t back down. Instead, she hustled back, stole the ball, and raced down the court. With Prince chasing her, Watkins soared and dunked it with her right hand. 

In case you’re wondering how the reigning WNBA MVP comes into the picture, it’s because earlier this year, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley stirred the pot by sharing an old video of Wilson attempting a dunk during warmups back in her college days. “Aaayeeeee @_ajawilson22, can you still do this?!!! I know you can.” she wrote.

This whole conversation takes us back to 2014 when a young A’ja Wilson, the lone woman in a dunk contest, nearly pulled it off. She tried a couple of left-handed dunks, coming super close but falling just short of the lift needed to throw it down. Despite not converting, her effort did hit the headlines.

Now, fast forward to this year. The 2x WNBA Champion, in her usual candid style, responded to Shaquille O’Neal’s suggestion to lower WNBA rims for more dunks. “What’s it gonna do?” she said. “I would much rather just like, ‘OK, let’s get in the gym, let’s work.’ You never know, next year I might dunk.” 

And guess what? Fans are holding her to it. Because till now, only eight players in W  have combined for just 37 WNBA dunks, whether in the regular season, playoffs, or All-Star Game. It all started in 2002 with Lisa Leslie. Then it was Candace Parker, the shortest player to dunk. Australian star Liz Cambage threw down in 2018.

Then there’s Brittney Griner. By comparison, no one else has more than two. The only other active player with a dunk is Jonquel Jones. Rounding out the club are Michelle Snow, Sylvia Fowles, and Awak Kuier. And fans want Wilson to be the next. Social media has been buzzing, with fans asking the W star to take the leap (literally!).

Will A’ja Wilson finally dunk in 2025? Fans are all in 

It all started after Ashlyn Watkins’s dunk against TCU. An Instagram thread read, “Sooo @aja22wilson since Ashlyn out here dunking on folks, that means you’re gonna do it too? I mean, you can’t let the Baby Aces outdo y’all. 😂😂😂” Naturally, this had everyone cracking up. For most, the “Baby Aces” part was hilarious. The chatter turned into fans flooding social media, urging A’ja to give us that dunk finally.

One wrote, “I think she’s going to dunk for her shoe drop.” A’ja’s first signature shoe is set to release in the summer of 2025. She’s already described the shoe as a low-top, emphasizing its versatility and, most importantly, comfort. And what better way to celebrate than by throwing down a dunk wearing it? 

Another fan chimed in with, “And their first game is against New York. I need her to do one of these.” The WNBA released its 2025 schedule recently, and the Aces are opening their season on May 17 with a semifinals rematch against the New York Liberty, the reigning champs. 

Then came the comment that had everyone nodding along, “A’ja gon tap into her inner Bam for her first dunk of the season lol.” A’ja’s rumored boyfriend, NBA star Bam Adebayo, is known for his powerful dunks—everything from posterizing jams to flush guards. Fans are convinced she could channel a little of Bam’s dunking energy.

And obviously, there’s the height argument. “Sis head be at the rim when she block shots and lay the ball up. She can give us one dunk,” one fan pointed out. Standing at 6-foot-3 with insane athleticism, the 28-year-old already shown she has the hopes for it. Supporting that, another fan added, “She literally can 2hand dunk.” 

If she can pull off those high-flying blocks and finish with ease, surely a two-handed dunk isn’t out of the question. So, the big question is, will A’ja Wilson actually do it? We never know. Summer 2025 might just bring us not only a new shoe but a dunk to remember.